News that he death penalty handed down to George Speight has been commuted to a life sentence capped a day of high drama in Fiji.

It is yet another spectacular twist in Fiji's painful journey through chaos sparked by
the nationalist coup he led two years ago.

Speight after sentencing: A different story from the coup leader of two years ago

The country's Daily Post newspaper had
reported that it was widely expected that Speight and 12 co-defendants "would
get off lightly in return for pleading guilty", but instead he was originally sentenced to be hanged.

Death is still the mandatory sentence for treason under Fiji's
constitution, and despite a government announcement last week that it was to abolish the penalty, the Attorney-General Qoriniasi confirmed that the new legislation was not yet in place.

Clemency decision

George Speight's fate was decided by a three-man Mercy Commission.

Suva was hit by unrest during and after the coup

The commission considered a report submitted by the trial judge.

Under the 1997
Constitution, President Iloilo could have pardoned Speight or handed down a lesser
sentence.

He instead signed a decree commuting Speight's death sentence to life imprisonment.

Former Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, who carried out two nationalist
coups in 1987 when he was head of the military, was pardoned by the
president.

There have been no executions in the former British colony since
independence in 1970.

'Sad day'

There had been an angry reaction from some nationalists to the High Court
ruling that George Speight was to hang.

Chaudhry is now challenging the government in the courts

The hardline Conservative Alliance
party also said it was a sad day for indigenous Fijians.

Alliance MP Ratu Rakuita
Vakalalabure said Speight was a hero and was only trying to ensure that
indigenous people and their families could have a safe future in Fiji.

George Speight fought and won a seat for the Conservative Alliance at last
year's election in the nationalist stronghold of Tailevu North, the former
rebel leader's home province.

The security forces in the country remain on full alert but
George Speight has urged his supporters to remain calm amid fears of a
nationalist backlash.

George Speight never denied leading the uprising that ousted the Indian
dominated government of Mahendra Chaudhry.

He insisted he was granted
immunity from prosecution in a deal brokered by the military and the
powerful Great Council of Chiefs, the country's traditional rulers whose
political role is largely symbolic but who still command great respect among
the indigenous community.

Mr Chaudhry remains at the forefront of Fijian
politics and is currently engaged in a constitutional dispute that threatens
the future of Laisenia Qarase's nationalist government.

Silent Speight

Speight, a failed businessman who was charged under his Fijian name
Ilikimi Naitini, has yet to reveal why he pleaded guilty to treason.

Speight's wife said he was in high spirits before the case

In a
written statement, Speight said that he would "not tell all as it serves no
purpose other than to cause further unrest and uncertainty".

Earlier, he
looked calm and confident as he walked into court wearing a traditional
Fijian skirt known as a sulu and his trademark shaved head.

His wife Torika told reporters he was "in very high spirits and looking forward to
the start of the case".

In previous court appearances Speight often spoke
at length, grandstanding and relishing the spotlight.

The weeping figure
with his head bowed as the death penalty was passed stands in stark contrast
to the confident and charismatic man who brought down democracy in May 2000.